The size and complexity of some cases warrant a full-scale mock trial research, usually conducted over several days at a hotel or research facility. Clients who retain us for this kind of research typically want extensive juror feedback on their witnesses, jurors’ reactions to detailed evidence presentations, and formal juror deliberations.
- For a “typical” mock trial research, we will recruit and carefully screen a group of surrogate jurors from the trial venue or a matched venue.
- Jurors will answer a series of initial questions about their demographics and about beliefs related to the case.
- They will then hear argumentative attorney presentations of the plaintiff and defense sides of the case. These presentations are often divided into formal opening statements and closing arguments, but they may also be organized into issue-specific “modules.”
- This research can also involve a voir dire component, where attorneys interview jurors as a group and exercise “strikes” on jurors they believe are dangerous to their side.
- During these presentations, jurors will rate the persuasiveness of the arguments they hear using state-of-the-art handheld devices. The results of this rating will be displayed instantly in a separate viewing room.
- Following the presentations, jurors can view extensive video testimony from key witnesses. Jurors rate this testimony using handheld devices as well.
- Following the presentations and witness testimony, jurors are divided into deliberating groups and these groups deliberate to a verdict. These groups are then debriefed by EDGE consultants about issues of concern to the client and trial team.
- We will analyze all the data collected and prepare a report detailing how jurors are likely to process key case issues and how they react to key case witnesses, and describing specific strategic ideas for how to capitalize on case strengths and address case vulnerabilities.